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Author Topic: Why are there not more options?  (Read 1486 times)

9andaWiggle

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Why are there not more options?
« on: August 02, 2007, 03:23:12 AM »
I just dropped my 36 week league, just too long of a season and I am quite relieved at not having to face that grind this year.  Of course, I will be looking for some short winter leagues to bowl in, December to (or maybe even through) March, but I wonder why in the face of declining membership there has not been a push for more short league options?

Seems to me a lot of recreational bowlers, or once hard core bowlers such as myself who are merely getting burned out, would jump all over having more short league options.  Therefore, why not run 4 month leagues?  They could fluctuate by region with the seasons, or maybe fluctuate with what is going on in your area.

Maybe the way to save bowling and increase membership isn't so much integrity related, but lies in the flexibility to adapt to the patron's schedules and offer leagues that make more sense to busy people's lives?

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Atochabsh

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2007, 02:50:48 PM »
I know our association has a couple leagues that are 1/2 year/winter leagues.  But you are abslutely right there are not a lot of options out there for winter league.

I think this is why a lot of bowlers sub, rather then commit to a full season.

Erin
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splendorlex

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2007, 02:54:49 PM »
Heck, I wouldn't mind if the leagues just went all year.    My center has a pretty good selection of short season leagues, most of them are mixed leagues.  Are you talking about a short season Men's league, or what?  Also be aware that generally, a shorter season league won't have great competition, if that's what you crave.
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Debina

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2007, 03:01:28 PM »
The center where I bowl has plenty of short-season leagues, including a those for adult/youth, seniors, mixed, etc.  My favorite league is a doubles league, any combination of adults, that runs in back-to-back 16-week segments.  There's usually a week off between end/start, and you can bowl continuously, or take off any given segment.  Since it's doubles, it's a short time commitment, and we were even able to pick up the 33-week foursomes league that follows it the same night.

Deb
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2007, 03:15:25 PM »
Last year I took part in a 16 session (every 2 weeks) winter house league, and it was way too much/long for my personal spare time, and also for the rest of the team. In fact, we had to have 7 players in the team to get the trio on the lanes each time - and even this was not possible every time!
Therefore, I quit and will not re-enter, even though it was fun. But it is a too long format. Subbing, yes, but since I know I won't be able to get there frequently, I just will not attend.

What I really like is my club's 10 week summer format. Besides the shorter period, the charm lies in the flexibility since on each start new trio teams are raffled from 3 average pools. Even though you will not stick with a real "team" for the "season", it is great fun and a good opportunity to get to know other players of every level of mastery. IMHO, a very good and flexible model that should also be applicable outise of a bowling club. Only drawback is that you have to set a limit of starting places for each start, and either need to accept early registrations for each start, or have good logistics on the spot to create the teams each time.
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Xfest

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2007, 03:36:31 PM »
I would actually like to participate in a league that lasted 36 weeks long. If there was enough bowlers, and good competition, then hell yeah I would be up for it!
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9andaWiggle

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2007, 03:59:28 PM »
quote:
I think some houses are afraid to offer to many of those becasue they fear all there leagues shortening up.  My dad would bowl in a league that was say january to april.  I think its a perfect time.  However I love bowling as long as it is and wouldn't change it.  I don't get why people find the week in and out such a grind.  I don't have a family to come home too so I get those people, but otherwise its doing something you love at a set time every week.
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Just to answer your question, for me and where I bowled, it became a hassle to try getting out of work early to beat traffic.  If I left work at 5:00, it would take me 45 minutes to get there.  If I begged and fenaggled my way into leaving att 4:50, it only took 15 minutes.  Then, since this place was closer to my work than where I live, it was about a 45 minute drive home.  Then I have to get up and go to work the next morning after getting home late.  I think 60% of my burn out was just getting to and from the alley.

Another factor is that I really like where we live now (out in the sticks).  So when the weather is nice I prefer to kick back on the deck and relax or if I feel like it, work on the house or yard.

Seriously, the last 4 years in this league there is a very noticeable spike in my avg. between the end of November through February.  Beginning and end of the season I really didn't care to be there, and you can see it in my avg for those months.

I might look it up and post what the actual difference was.


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JohnP

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2007, 07:56:03 PM »
To answer the original question, $$$.  Most houses need the guaranteed income from leagues for as long as possible.  Stop short of a normal season and there's little income for that time period.  --  JohnP
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qstick777

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2007, 12:46:10 AM »
JohnP and Deadbait pretty much hit it on the head.

I think some places could probably get away with splitting a 36 week league up in any number of ways:

3 x 12 week leagues

2 x 18 week leagues - a lot of leagues do a 2 half season anyways.

1 24 week league and 1 12 week league.

A few years ago I bowled in a 24 week league where the majority of the league claimed they didn't want to bowl in a 35 week league.  After our 24 week league ended, approximately 80% of those bowlers immediately started bowling in a 12 week no-tap league in the same house!

Most places have 33-36 week "fall/winter" leagues and then turn around and have 12-14 week "summer" leagues.  Why not try 24 week leagues?  You still end up with 48 weeks of leagues.

It is amazing how many people do not bowl a full season, and how many people do not want to bowl a full season or commit to bowling every week.  A 5 person team is usually allowed at least 7 roster members.  If you had a 35 week league, you could rotate the bowling duty so that each member only bowled 75 games (25 weeks).
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RevZiLLa

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Re: Why are there not more options?
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2007, 12:57:50 AM »
i like it
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